Great potential to conserve power and water exists in most private households; however, people with a low income do not have the financial means to invest in energy and water saving technology. In most cases, the knowledge on how to conserve energy is not far spread. This is where the project comes in. The "Stromspar-Check für einkommensschwache Haushalte" campaign helps low-income households to reduce their energy consumption. Recipients of unemployment benefits (paid after the first 12 - 18 months of unemployment), social welfare or housing benefits can participate in the social- and climate protection project, jointly organized by the Caritasverband and the Bundesverband der Energie- und Klimaschutzagenturen Deutschlands (eaD). In addition to useful information about consumption behavior, applicants receive immediate and free-of-charge aids, e.g. energy-saving bulbs or multiple socket outlets with switches. Formerly long-term unemployed individuals act as so-called "power-saving helpers" which are trained to be consultants by the energy agencies.

Every fifth "power-saving helper" has been successfully re-introduced to the primary labor market. The Berliner Energieagentur is responsible for the regional coordination in the federal states Berlin, Brandenburg, Saxony-Anhalt and North Rhine-Westphalia. Across the nation, the "Stromspar-Check" is active in more than 70 locations. By mid-2012, the "power-saving helpers" have consulted 70,000 households, reducing their energy costs by an average of €100 per year.